Eco-lodges: the new hipster trend

Hi there, I’m currently on Isla Fuerte in the Colombian Caribbean. I ended up here kind of by chance, and I stumbled upon one of the very few hotels that accepts credit cards and has branded itself as an "eco-lodge."

At first, I thought the idea of "environmentally friendly" hotels wasn’t too bad... but now it’s become a full-blown trend, and the clientele at these places almost always fits the same profile: thirty-something, eco-conscious, vegan or vegetarian, working remotely or at least glued to their laptop, morning yoga classes, mate at aperitif, and meditation at the end of the day.

Personally, after visiting a few, I’ve found that everything about them feels fake. I’ve even seen "meditation sessions" with music playing, even though the hotel was in the middle of a forest with all the natural sounds around. There’s also a lot to say about their so-called eco-friendly products in the bathrooms.

The rooms, terraces, etc.—where people used to sit, read, or chat—are now called "social spaces" or co-working zones...

I’m not holding back with these hotels, but my take is that eco-hipsterism is really taking off in the hospitality industry.

What do you fellow travelers think?

I pretty much agree—I’ve set foot in one, very rarely. The services offered are often far from justifying the price. Basically, a rip-off.

Sure, if they’d *really* wanted to be eco-friendly, they wouldn’t have built anything!

It’s all part of the (polluted) zeitgeist, but you can’t blame someone with an entrepreneurial spirit for getting in on the action. I’ve seen documentaries showcasing hotels where environmental respect was taken to the next level. But how many of them just slap on a label to lure customers and double the price?

Plus, isn’t it a bit ironic to brag about staying in an eco-lodge after flying there?

I’ll add that it’s even more paradoxical when you see (in this case) Colombians coming to spend the weekend at these scam lodges (;)) and leaving all their trash on the beach.... But as mentioned above, it’s a great way to double the prices for the eco-conscious Western bobo who’ll clear their conscience by spending their stay here after taking a flight :)

This reminds me of a scene in Costa Rica a year or two ago, when the police had to step in so people would leave the sea turtles alone as they came to lay their eggs on the beach. If you let them, they’ll take selfies with the poor creature, climb on it, and who knows what else.

I’d also add that it’s even more paradoxical when you see Colombians (in this case) coming to spend the weekend at these scam lodges (;)) and leaving all their trash on the beach....

Hi there, Isn’t another paradox the very idea of an "eco" hotel? After all, hotels consume huge amounts of energy (water, electricity, disposable products), unless the management effectively raises awareness among guests. But these year-round accommodations are often expensive and don’t meet their quotas. What’s the point of all that spending? Hipsters ease their consciences by any means possible, but I’d still take an eco-lodge over high-rise buildings by the sea.

If you let them, they’ll take selfies with the animal, climb on it, and who knows what else.

What’s incredible about stupidity is that it has no limits

There was the same kind of scene with a dolphin, by the way—the animal died from being hauled out of the water over and over for selfies... but selfies could be a whole other discussion in this forum section...

If you let them, they’ll take selfies with the animal, climb on it, and who knows what else.

What’s incredible about stupidity is that it has no limits

That’s true—I see it in myself all the time.

Actually, these "eco-lodges" are just part of the eco-hipster trend that’s been sweeping through Western societies for years. The hipster credo: - You’ve got to eat (and drink) eco-consciously: so vegan or at a push vegetarian, be a locavore, no fats, no sugars, no gluten, no alcohol... (and ultimately, no fun! 🙁) - You’ve got to dress exclusively in sustainable plant-based fibers—no synthetic fabrics, and definitely—*gasp*—no leather... - You’ve got to live in eco-friendly homes (clay, straw, wood, bamboo, bricks made from elephant dung ( Bricks made from elephant dung) and whatever else?) and of course, only use renewable energy for lighting and heating. - You’ve got to travel sustainably: bike, electric scooter, land yacht, oxcart, horse, or donkey... Though there’s one exception for planes, because the true eco-hipster only flies to countries where they can do eco-tourism!

So, it’s no surprise this trend has made its way into the hospitality industry! 🙂

The upside: since they’d be traveling anyway, they might as well stay in real eco-lodges.

Still, the best thing for the planet is a good old pandemic. In just a few months, nature bounces back and we’re surrounded by wild boars. For us Gauls, it’s a return to our roots.